Still Waters Farm

02/13/2025

What kind of hay do you feed and why?

02/12/2025

Tell me what do you look for in winter boots?

02/09/2025

02/08/2025

Let's have fun this summer learning about horses.

01/26/2025

Grooming a horse in the winter is essential for its health and well-being.
•It boosts blood circulation
•Removes dirt and loose hair
•Helps prevent skin issues like rain rot
Regular grooming also allows for checking for injuries hidden under the thick coat and distributes natural oils, enhancing insulation and warmth.

01/19/2025

You’re never too young or too old to have fun and be silly! Maverick here loves to pick things up and play with them 🐴

01/18/2025

Let’s talk about horse teeth!! 🐴🦷

Aging a horse by its teeth is a traditional method that involves examining changes in the teeth as the horse grows. Foals are born with 24 baby teeth that emerge in pairs. They are replaced by permanent ones by age five. Key indicators of a horse’s age include the appearance of Galvayne's groove around age 10, which extends as the horse ages, and the angle of incidence between incisors, which becomes smaller with age. While these signs can give you an estimate of age, individual variations and environmental factors can affect tooth wear.

01/11/2025

The barn has weathered the storm. Horses are happy and having fun in the first snow in over 2 years! ❄️⛄️🐴

01/11/2025

Snow has rolled in! ❄️

Snow will lay nicely atop a horse’s winter coat without melting. The snow will trap the heat from their body in their coat and help with insulation. If your horse is not blanketed, don’t brush the snow off of your horse, this will wet their coat and make them cold.

Make sure your horses have:
•Fresh water
•Plenty of hay to help their digestive systems generate heat to keep warm
•Clean stalls and/or run-ins in their fields

01/08/2025

A cold snap is coming. Be prepared.

How You Can Help Our Horses on Colder Days:
Shelter: Provide a windbreak or run-in shelter to protect them from wind, rain, and snow.
Blanketing: Healthy horses with a good winter coat often don’t need blankets, but older, clipped, or underweight horses may benefit from one.
Nutrition: Extra hay helps fuel their internal “furnace” since digesting hay generates warmth.
Water: Ensure they have access to unfrozen water to maintain proper hydration, as digestion and body heat rely on it.

01/07/2025

Gloves: Invest in insulated riding gloves that allow dexterity for handling reins while keeping your hands warm.

01/07/2025

Hoof growth generally slows down in the winter months. Colder temperatures usually leads to less exercise, potentially altered nutrition, and reduced blood circulation to the hoof. This impacts the rate in which keratin is produced. Here are some ways you can help maintain a healthy hoof:
•Regularly check for cracks, bruises, and chips caused by walking on frozen terrain.
•Daily hoof picking is crucial in the winter. Make sure you clean out ice and packed snow that could be stuck in your horses hooves.
•Have your farrier trim your horses hooves every 6-10 weeks. Long and and unbalanced hooves can cause tripping or lameness.
•Consider shoeing your horse. Depending upon what your horse needs and the terrain they work on in the winter, you may need to consider special winter shoes or pads to provide extra traction on slippery ground.

01/06/2025

Clothing Tips for Staying Warm:
Layer Up
Base Layer: Wear moisture-wicking thermal underwear to keep sweat away from your skin.
Middle Layer: Add an insulating layer, like fleece or a wool sweater, for warmth.
Outer Layer: A waterproof and windproof riding jacket keeps you dry and blocks cold winds.

01/06/2025

How Horses Stay Warm:

Thick Winter Coat: Horses grow a dense winter coat that traps air close to their body, creating insulation to retain heat. The longer and fluffier the coat, the better it traps warmth.

Fat Layer: Horses naturally build up a layer of fat during the fall, which acts as an additional insulator against the cold.

Natural Thermoregulation: Horses have the ability to adjust blood flow to their extremities. When it’s cold, they reduce blood flow to the legs to conserve core body heat.

Movement: A horse’s large muscles generate heat as they move, whether they’re walking, running, or just shifting around in the pasture.

Herd Behavior: Horses often huddle together to share body heat and block wind.

01/04/2025

Horses are known for their gentle and social nature, often forming relationships with various animals other than horses like cows, goats, sheep, and chickens on farms. They can also bond with dogs and cats, enjoying companionship during trail rides or around stables. These special relationships contribute to a peaceful environment on farms. Through mutual grooming and shared grazing, these relationships showcase horses' adaptability and sociability.

01/04/2025

The other day, I was asked the following question: Do horses need more water in the winter or less? Yes, horses often need just as much—if not more—water in the winter as they do in warmer months. Dehydration can be a significant risk during cold weather, as horses may be less inclined to drink cold water. Hydration is crucial try to ensure your horse is drinking enough in the winter:

01/03/2025

we combine the beauty of horsemanship with personal growth, offering a space to discover confidence, focus, and balance both in and out of the saddle.

Let’s make 2025 a year of adventure, growth, and connection—with yourself and your horse.

We combine the beauty of horsemanship with personal growth, offering a space to discover confidence, focus, and balance both in and out of the saddle.

01/02/2025

The holidays are behind us, and it’s time to ease back into the rhythm of daily life. But who says January has to be ordinary?

This new year is the perfect opportunity to saddle up and embrace the joy, freedom, and connection that horseback riding brings. Whether you’re looking to build your skills, deepen your bond with your horse, or simply find peace in the ride, there’s no better time to get started.